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Chapter 49: Chapter 49: You Will Forgive Me, Right?

"Hmm... It’s quite pretty." Lynn Winslow squinted, trying to keep the sheer pinkness from overwhelming her eyes.

Chloe Clayton grinned, grabbing a box from the vanity and stuffing it into Lynn’s hands.

"I had these custom-made by a designer and just got them yesterday. I thought they would be perfect for you."

Lynn opened it and took a look. Inside was a pair of red diamond earrings. Even without direct light, the gems twinkled with a fine, broken glimmer. Anyone with a discerning eye could tell they were incredibly valuable.

"Thank you, but I can’t accept this." Lynn closed the box and handed it back.

"The Winslow family may not be based in Veridia, but I know if we’re really comparing, the Clayton family can’t hold a candle to you. I’m sure you don’t lack for things like this, but I really want you to have them. Please, just accept it. Think of it as a thank you for saving me the other day."

A Chloe Clayton stripped of her arrogance was much cuter than before.

Lynn’s lips curved into a smile as she accepted the box. "Alright," she said softly. "I’ll accept them."

Chloe beamed. "Let me help you put them on! They’ll go perfectly with your outfit today."

Lynn had specifically asked Aaron to style her more conservatively today. She wore a strapless, denim-blue gown and no earrings. Chloe pushed her down to sit on the sofa and bent over to put the earrings on for her.

The combination was striking. "So beautiful," Chloe praised. "They really are perfect for you."

Lynn chuckled. "So you’re not angry when you see me anymore?"

Chloe froze for a second before understanding what Lynn meant. She said awkwardly, "I was being petty before. Plus, Mia Rhodes kept telling me bad things about you, and I believed her. But now I know. Those thugs who bullied me were in contact with Mia. Even though the investigation didn’t prove it was her, my brother said she’s definitely involved."

Lynn gave a slow, deliberate nod. Chloe asked cautiously, "You’ll forgive me, right?"

"Why would I need to forgive you?" Lynn asked, puzzled. "You haven’t done anything to me. What’s wrong? Don’t tell me you were the one spreading those rumors about me?"

"Of course not!" Chloe shook her head vigorously, then sat down next to Lynn with a silly grin. "Then that means you’re willing to be good friends with me."

Lynn didn’t know how she’d reached that conclusion, but ’being friends with Chloe... doesn’t seem so bad.’

They returned to the garden. Liam Clayton doted on his younger sister, Chloe, and had decorated the entire space lavishly for her.

Joanna Jacobs and Veronica Leighton were standing together. They had arrived a bit later and didn’t know Chloe and Lynn were together. "Why didn’t Miss Clayton invite Mia?" Joanna whispered.

"Maybe Mia has been busy lately? Doesn’t she have a new show coming out?"

"Probably. But I have a bad feeling about this."

"Me too."

A moment later, the two discovered the source of their bad feeling.

Chloe and Lynn walked over together, talking softly. Chloe was even affectionately linking arms with Lynn.

Veronica frowned. "What’s going on? Why is Lynn Winslow here?"

Joanna bit her lip. "Why would Miss Clayton invite her? Quick, message Mia."

Veronica nodded, pulled her phone from her handbag, and sent Mia Rhodes a message.

[Mia, it’s Miss Clayton’s birthday today. How come you’re not here?]

At that moment, Mia Rhodes was at the Powell family’s residence, having dinner with Mr. Powell. She froze when she received the message.

How could she tell them she hadn’t been invited at all? Swallowing her pride, she replied: [Chloe sent me an invitation, but I’ve been too busy with my schedule these past few days to make it.]

Veronica took her at her word and secretly snapped a photo of Chloe and Lynn, sending it to Mia Rhodes.

[Miss Clayton also invited Lynn Winslow. They seem to be on really good terms. Did something happen?]

Upon seeing the message, Mia Rhodes shot to her feet, her eyes wide as she stared furiously at the photo on her phone.

Mr. Powell looked up at her, frowning. "What is it? Did something happen?"

Mia snapped back to reality, forcing a smile onto her face. "Grandfather, I’m afraid I can’t finish dinner with you. Something’s come up."

Mr. Powell nodded. "Go on, then."

Mia gave Mr. Powell an apologetic smile, unable to even maintain her usual composure, and strode swiftly out the door.

Climbing into the company van, she said urgently, "To the Clayton Estate. Quickly."

The driver slammed the accelerator, and the car sped down the road. Mia’s mind was in turmoil.

She had rushed to the hospital to find Chloe yesterday, and Chloe had already been cold to her then. This morning, she had sent Chloe several messages, but Chloe hadn’t replied with so much as a single punctuation mark. She’d planned to properly coax her later, but she never expected Chloe wouldn’t even invite her to her birthday party today. That was one thing—after all, Chloe needed time to cool off—but she had actually invited Lynn Winslow.

Mia recalled running into Lynn at the hospital entrance yesterday. She bit her lower lip hard. ’It’s bad enough that Lynn ruined my plans, but now she’s even become Chloe’s savior? How could I not hate her?’

Countless security guards stood at the entrance to the Clayton Estate. Seeing Mia approach, one stepped forward with a cold expression to block her way.

"Miss, please show your invitation or leave immediately."

Mia pressed her lips together and explained, "I’m a friend of your miss. You should recognize me; I’ve been here before."

The guard looked her up and down. She did look familiar.

"In that case, Miss, please let me see your invitation."

"I didn’t bring it with me, but I really am very good friends with your miss." A faint blush colored Mia’s cheeks.

The guard’s face hardened. "Then there’s nothing we can do," he said flatly. "You can call our miss and have her send someone to get you. Otherwise, we can’t risk letting you in."

Mia opened her mouth to speak, but the guard had already turned and returned to his post. She had no choice but to walk back to the van, pull out her phone, and call Chloe.

It rang for a long time before Chloe finally answered with a cold, "Hello?"

Mia said, her voice full of grievance, "Chloe, how could you not invite me to your birthday? I’m at the gate of the estate right now. Can you send someone to come get me?"

Chloe was silent for a moment before saying, "Wait there."

Mia sighed in relief at her words.

A short while later, Chloe came out herself. As soon as Mia saw her, she trotted over, reaching out to take Chloe’s hand.

Chloe dodged her hand, tilted her chin up, and said coldly, "What are you doing here?"

Mia bit her lip. "Chloe, are you angry? Did I do something wrong? You can tell me, and I can explain."

Chloe scanned her from head to toe, her lips curling into a sneer. "I just don’t want to hang out with hypocrites anymore."

Mia froze, then took a step forward. "That’s not it, Chloe. Did someone say something to you? They’re lying to you. I genuinely want to be your friend."

"Is that so? Then tell me, did you know those men from last night or not?"

"I don’t know them, really," Mia said, shaking her head in denial.

Chloe stared at her coldly, then turned to go back inside, but Mia grabbed her hand from behind.

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